Verse 8:[1] And he went up thence (Gen. 32:30; 1 Kings 12:25) to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
[He went to Penuel] It was in the tribe of Gad, not far from Succoth; it also received its name from Jacob, Genesis 32:30 (Bonfrerius, Lapide).
Penuel; another city beyond Jordan; of which see Genesis 32:30; 1 Kings 12:25.
[And he spoke similar things, כָּזֹאת] Just like this, that is, such things as he had said to the citizens of Succoth (Vatablus).
Verse 9:[2] And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I (1 Kings 22:27) come again in peace, (Judg. 8:17) I will break down this tower.
[I will destroy this tower] In which they were they had the greatest confidence (Bonfrerius). It is likely that they showed that tower to Gideon when he threatened them, and that therefore Gideon subjoined that he was going to destroy, not only them, but also the tower (Tostatus, Lapide, Bonfrerius).
This tower: Your confidence in which makes you thus proud and presumptuous. He implies that he would afterwards destroy their persons, as is expressed, verse 17.
[1] Hebrew: וַיַּ֤עַל מִשָּׁם֙ פְּנוּאֵ֔ל וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם כָּזֹ֑את וַיַּעֲנ֤וּ אוֹתוֹ֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י פְנוּאֵ֔ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָנ֖וּ אַנְשֵׁ֥י סֻכּֽוֹת׃
[2] Hebrew: וַיֹּ֛אמֶר גַּם־לְאַנְשֵׁ֥י פְנוּאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בְּשׁוּבִ֣י בְשָׁל֔וֹם אֶתֹּ֖ץ אֶת־הַמִּגְדָּ֥ל הַזֶּֽה׃